Couples Support based in Polyvagal Attachment Theory
Navigating through the complexities of relationships requires time, patience, and understanding. At the heart of my practice is the belief that everyone deserves to feel secure, connected, and valued.
Respecting Protective Mechanisms in Couples
While the protective mechanisms often lead to conflicts in a relationship, they serve a crucial role: guarding against distress and chaos. Understanding and honoring these defenses can foster a more empathetic and supportive relationship dynamic.
Building Secure Attachment in Relationships
Not everyone develops a secure attachment system early in life. Relationships can be challenging to sustain when that happens, even with the right partner. Individuals can cultivate more secure attachment systems with the right inputs, time, acceptance, and support.
Integrative Approaches to Enhancing Attachment in Couples
My strategy blends several unique philosophies and methods to facilitate more profound, secure attachments. Individuals and couples can thrive, connect, negotiate, and unlock their full potential with a firm foundation.
Steven Porges' Polyvagal Theory and the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), which offers a non-invasive polyvagal acoustic therapy for restoring attachment systems in people who have thwarted attachment capabilities (often present due to early developmental trauma and resulting Complex PTSD, sensory processing challenges, or acute trauma.
Richard Schwartz's Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model
Emotion-Focused Couples Therapy for Couples (EFT)
Kathy Cain & Steve Terrell's work for healing developmental (attachment) trauma
John Bradshaw's work on reclaiming and healing your Inner Child
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Deidre Fay's program for Becoming Safely Embodied
The Gottman Method and Imago Relationship Therapy